The Ultimate Guide to Buying GMC Used Trucks in Regina

Used Trucks in Regina

The streets of Regina (increasingly those in international markets) firmly belong to trucks. Why? First, Saskatchewan drivers work hard. Whether it’s construction, farming, or something else, you need a vehicle that can keep up with you. Second, drivers in Saskatchewan need to conquer some tough road conditions. Black ice, potholes, and a couple feet of snow are just a few of the things you might run into on a given day. So, for safety and comfort on the road, you need something versatile and rugged. Finally, given the volatile price of gasoline, and the increasing emissions standards, you need fuel-efficient used trucks, too. Is it even possible to get everything? In short, yes – and even on sale.

Trucks Work Hard

Obviously, performance comes first for most buyers of used trucks. Knowing that, automakers are continuously building trucks that are lighter, stronger, and more fuel-efficient, year after year. Even with adequate horsepower and torque, hauling or towing can be dangerous jobs. So, to avoid hazards, you need to be confident your truck can maintain its grip and balance. That’s why 4X4 is basically a necessity for most pickup drivers. In Canada, it’s even more important. Four-wheel drive is an effective tool against ice that coats our roads for nearly half of the year, preventing slippage when it matters. Also, it’s essential for any driver who likes to take their truck off-road.

Understanding the Cab

The smallest available cab is the regular cab. It comes with two or three seats in the front row. Regular cabs feature no second row of seating, making it good as a raw workhorse, and not much else. Above the regular cab, is the extended cab, or double cab. These have small rear-seat benches accessed usually through reverse-hinged doors. For drivers planning on carrying more than one passenger on a regular basis, the extended cab isn’t the most practical solution. Quite simply, passengers in the second row won’t find much comfort. The biggest format for most pickups is the crew cab. Crew cabs feature roomier second-row seating accessed through standard, front-hinged doors. Obviously, the extra cabin space makes a crew cab more practical as a daily driver. But, buyers should understand the extra space will cut into the length of the bed.

Premium Features

Buyers of used trucks have traditionally needed to sacrifice some level of comfort. But, with the rising popularity of luxury vehicles, and luxury trims, many truck drivers are opting for an elevated pickup experience. Heated, leather seats; large aluminum rims, and a full suite of infotainment technology are just a few of the things you’ll find in the average truck on today’s roads. Further, with the wealth of available safety technology in modern trucks, additional comfort can be found in peace-of-mind. Features like collision alert, and lane-keeping assistance are quietly revolutionizing the way we drive. And, one of the best advocates of that revolution is GMC.

GMC

GMC offers two primary consumer trucks: the full-size Sierra and the mid-size Canyon. The Sierra is powered by a standard 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine. That engine delivers 285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque. Customization options are pretty broad Drivers who want a little more power can upgrade to the 5.3L or 6.2L EcoTec3 V8. Those engines bring 355 and 420 horsepower, respectively. The base model Sierra comes with a starting MSRP of $31,070. Of course, if you’re buying pre-owned, you can get it for much less. As the flagship of GMC’s “Like a Pro” mantra, the Sierra is built for performance above all else.

GMC Canyon

Meanwhile, the GMC Canyon, which touts itself as the only premium midsize pickup, offers a bit more flexibility. The Canyon is powered by a 200-horsepower, 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. Drivers with also have the option of upgrading to a 3.6L V6 with Active Fuel Management. Active Fuel Management automatically switches the engine from six to three cylinder operation when performance demands are low. Consequently, your engine will consume a lot less fuel. Finally, there’s also a 2,8L Duramax Turbo Diesel for Diesel enthusiasts. But the Canyon’s appeal doesn’t really shine on the spec sheet.

Instead, most drivers will appreciate how the Canyon blends the practicality and power of a truck with convenient size. It’s as comfortable towing a boat as it is parallel parking downtown. And, with a standard rear vision camera, available forward collision alert, and lane-departure warning, the Canyon is fairly civilized. Not only can the Canyon fit into the city, but it can fit into a budget, too. With a starting MSRP of $22,930, the price matches the truck’s size. Of course, pre-owned buyers could pay even less to experience “the first smart-sized luxury pickup”. But, how can you make sure you’re buying a quality used truck?

Assessing Condition

Arguably, buyers of used trucks should be more cautious than buyers of other vehicles. Pickups are normally driven pretty hard. Towing a boat, driving off-road, or hauling construction materials will age a vehicle quicker than placid commuting. Those hard kms won’t be reflected on the odometer. So, how do you tell if a used truck is still in good condition? Well, here are a few inspection tips to get you started.

Exterior

When you check out the exterior used trucks, look for any scratches or ding on the body panels. Look for any overlapping or misaligned panels at the places where they meet. That would suggest the truck had been in an accident and had panels replaced. Of course, you should be able to learn about any major accidents from a service like CarProof that provides vehicle history reports. But inspecting the rest of a vehicle can be a bit more demanding.

Engine

However, you can inspect under the hood without being a mechanic. Look for signs of fluid or corrosion where they shouldn’t be. This indicates leaks which can lead to a host of other problems. Even if you can’t see fluid, you should inspect any visible hoses for damage. At the same time check the belts. They should be flexible and display no undue signs of wear. If they are brittle or cracked, they will need to be replaced before catastrophic engine failure arises.

Tires

Having a worn set of tires isn’t the worst expense a prospective vehicle owner could incur. However, you’ll want to make sure you factor the state of the rubber into any negotiation. Stick a toonie into the treads. If the tread extends into the gold ring in the center, then at least half of the tread life is remaining. Most importantly, you should consider the pattern of wear on the tires. If most of the visible wear is present only on a single side of the tires, it could indicate a more serious problem like a bad wheel alignment.

Obviously, the best way to assess the condition of used trucks is to let a professional inspect them. Most mechanics offer relatively inexpensive pre-purchase inspection. Compared to the amount of money your new truck could cost you, it’s a small investment. And it can help steer you away from vehicles that are in bad condition.

How do you shop for a pre-owned truck? Any tips we missed. Leave us a comment.